This was somewhat lost in the news of Jorge Posada's injury yesterday, as well as Chien-Ming Wang's seven shutout innings, and Melky Cabrera's homer off C.C. Sabathia.
But Mariano Rivera notched the 450th save of his career yesterday. Only two pitchers have saved more: Trevor Hoffman with 528 and Lee Smith with 478. If Rivera continues on this pace, he'll pass Smith later this year. Hard to say with Hoffman, since we don't know how much longer he'll close/pitch.
In his career Rivera is 62-44 with a 2.33 ERA in 796 games. He has 867 strikeouts and 238 walks in 963 innings. He has allowed only 49 home runs.
Hoffman is 53-62 with a 2.77 ERA in 890 games. He's struck out 1017 and walked 267 in 951 1/3 innings. He has allowed 84 home runs.
Smith was 71-92 in his career wtih a 3.03 ERA in 1022 games. He struck out 1251 and walked 486 in 1289 1/3 innings. He allowed 89 home runs.
Anyway that's a quick comparison of the tops in saves all-time. Congratulations to Mariano.
Comments (16)
The greatest reliever in the history of baseball.
Don't get me started on Rivera ! The single most important contributor to the success of NY.If you subtract his ERA in the 10 or so starts he made in 1995 his lifetime ERA as reliever is 2.13.Filthy.
Postseason:
8-1
34 saves
117 innings 10 ER
0.77 ERA
My favorite current Yankee.
Hall of Fame Relievers:
ERA as relievers
Wilhelm 2.36
Fingers 2.73
Gossage 2.77
Sutter 2.83
Eckersley 2.85
Kat,
Hoffman is still pitching these days, but he's not doing a whole lot of closing. We all know this guy is a farce, who can pile up numbers all year long but has failed on just about every occasion when he had to close out an important game.
Viva Mariano!!!
When you think of the process of how Mariano gets batters out with one pitch, its beyond conception. Yes, its one pitch which use to clock in at 95/96 with laser accuracy. Now, a few ticks slower but still pinpoint with placement. You know its not about the physicalness of the pitch,its about the mind. Mariano gets batters out with his strength of his thought process between the ears. He dares them to hit if they can. No waste in pitches but moving the ball left, right, up and down. Hit it if you can.
There are many pichers who have better stuff than Mariano. We all know it.
I take one game at a time with the 37 year old pitcher because you just never know when the body says thats it. Everyone wants Joba in the rotation but the 8th and 9th are ours and nobody can match it. I hope Mariano can impart the mental aspect to Joba.
To replace him would require matching not only his incredible ability as a pitcher, including his nerves of steel and his unbelievable consistency, but also his qualities as a teammate and a man on and off the field. From pinstripe baby to career-long Yankee, we can thank the baseball gods that we'll never have to see him stand up in another uniform.
Maybe when that tiresome question about what is a true Yankee comes up again we can just answer it with one phrase: the great Mariano Rivera.
Diane
Amen !
NON-BASEBALL RELATED MATTER:
Just wanted to let all of my blog friends know that I became a grandfather for the second time today!
My granddaughter was born at 12:15pm Arizona time today. She's 8 lbs 3 ounces and her name is Finley Noelle.
John G.
Congratulations ol' man !
From what I've been able to put together Cervelli will begin rehab sometime early May probably back at Trenton or maybe even Scranton early June.
I know this is a bit off topic for this blog... but the last game Posada caught, he threw out Sizemore... but the next opportunity to throw was way off and after the throw was made, the camera was on Posada... you can see him wincing and looking down at the home plate area... it looks like he says.... and i'm reading lips... "owww" a few times.
did anyone else see this...?
So when they keep reporting that Posada doesn't have pain... just a weakness... well, I would tend to disagree... it clearly looked like he was in some pain... and not just an emotional pain at not being able to throw the ball... but in physical pain and trying to do his best to hide it.
DOC
To John G.
Congrats on the birth of your granddaughter !!!
Wonderful news John ... that is such a blessing!
God bless your family ...
I saw the headline about Clemens and an affair and a 15 year old girl. I can't bring myself to read the article.
What's going on and when will the Yankee disgrace ever right itself?
Things were going better with Va. Tech and A Rod saving the little boy from the car accident ...
I guess you have to look at the positive.
As for Posada, I wanted Bard and Piazza. You need lots of backups. Molina is very good but Posada can't be replaced.
Doc
I did not notice Posada after the play. But I thought about his shoulder when I seen the throw you are refering to. especially after throwing out Sizemore.
Its good to see that you all appreciate Mariano. You will even more once he has retired.
John G: Congratulations! I hope Mom and Baby are all doing very well tonight.